Caregiver Relief

01/28/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

🚨 Is it a "Mini Stroke" or a Life-Saving Warning?

Too many families overlook Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) because the symptoms—such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech—often disappear within 15 minutes to an hour.

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/warning-shots-understanding-transient-ischemic-attacks-with-justin-vechayiem-episode-149

But calling it a "mini stroke" can be misleading and dangerous. As Stroke Nurse Navigator Justin Vechayiem explains in this episode, a TIA is actually a massive red flag and a predictor of a future, potentially life-changing stroke.

In this episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, we discuss:

🧠 The "Warning Shot": How TIAs act as the body's early warning system.

🚑 The Golden Rule: Why you must call 911 even if symptoms resolve—and why driving yourself to the ER is a critical mistake.

🥗 Prevention Power: How managing hypertension, diabetes, and adopting a Mediterranean diet can reduce your risk.

Don't wait for permanent damage to take action. Listen to the full conversation to learn the signs you absolutely cannot ignore.

01/26/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

Ever wonder why a senior with "good hearing" still struggles to follow conversations in noisy rooms? It might not be dementia or stubbornness—it could be Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/the-hidden-struggle-auditory-processing-disorders-in-seniors-and-caregivers-with-linda-macdougall-episode-148

In EP 148, we chat with Linda MacDougall about the sensory challenges that often go undiagnosed in aging adults.

We cover:

👂 It’s not hearing loss: Why the brain, not the ears, is the issue.

🤯 Sensory Overload: Why loud places make seniors withdraw.

🏡 Simple Fixes: How reducing background noise helps communication.

🔗 Listen now to learn how to support your loved one!

01/23/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

Have you lost your identity after years of putting everyone else first? You aren’t alone.

Our guest, Debbie Weiss, spent over 30 years caring for her father, her son with autism, and her husband. She felt invisible and exhausted—until a turning point at age 50 changed everything.

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/on-second-thought-maybe-i-can-care-for-myself-too-with-debbie-weiss-episode-147

In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Moving from “I Can’t” to “Maybe I Can”.
✨ The power of setting boundaries (even if it’s just for a dance class!).
✨ The “Sprinkle Effect”: Taking small steps to rediscover your purpose.

It is never too late to care for yourself, too.

01/21/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

Is it Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or something else? 🤔

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is often called the "overlooked dementia." It can take 12 to 18 months for families to get an accurate diagnosis because the symptoms—like movement changes, sleep disorders, and hallucinations—can be so complex.

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/the-overlooked-dementia-shedding-light-on-lewy-body-with-brandi-hackett-episode-146

In this episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, Diane Carbo is joined by Brandi Hackett from the Lewy Body Dementia Association to shed light on this misunderstood condition.

🎙️ We discuss:

🧩 Why LBD is often misdiagnosed as psychiatric issues or Parkinson’s.
🛌 Early warning signs like REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (acting out dreams).
❤️ The difference between "burnout" and "compassion fatigue".
📚 How to access the LBDA’s "Diamond Lewy" medication guide and support lines.

"It’s a marathon, not a sprint." If you are caring for a loved one with LBD, you don't have to do it alone. 💙

01/19/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

Did you know 63% of family caregivers become seriously ill while caring for others? 📉 It’s time to put your own oxygen mask on first. 😷

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/when-caregiving-hurts-protecting-your-health-while-caring-for-others-with-sabrina-ciceri-episode-145

In Ep 145, Diane joins nurse and author Sabrina Ciceri to discuss why self-care is a survival strategy, not a luxury.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

🛑 Escaping the "Superwoman" Trap: How to stop feeling guilty about taking breaks and asking for help.

📝 The Caregiver Contract: Why you need a formal agreement to set boundaries and protect your financial future.

🏃♀️ Micro-Wellness: Simple hacks to reset your nervous system, like deep breathing or a 10-minute walk.

Don't wait until you break to get support.

01/16/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

The doctor gave you a diagnosis, but not a manual. 📉

In Ep 144, Sue Ryan & Nancy Treaster share their Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap to help you find your footing. 🗺️❤️

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/a-roadmap-for-navigating-alzheimers-and-other-dementia-caregiving-with-sue-ryan-and-nancy-treaster-episode-144

We discuss:

✨ Radical Presence & Massive Acceptance

💼 Balancing a career + caregiving

🚫 Why you cannot do this alone

01/14/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

Caregiving conflict doesn’t have to be destructive. 🤝

In our latest episode, Diane Carbo sits down with Dr. Jen Fry to discuss how caregivers can shift from avoiding conflict to using it as a tool for connection. Whether you're dealing with "habitual line-steppers" or feeling unheard in a doctor’s office, this conversation offers a roadmap to reclaim your peace.

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/bridging-differences-how-caregivers-can-transform-conflict-into-connection-with-dr-jen-fry-episode-143

In this episode, we cover:

• Reinforcing Boundaries: Why setting a boundary is a continuous process, not a one-time event.

• Sibling Dynamics: How to set realistic expectations for family and why "pay-to-play" is a valid option for uninvolved siblings.

• Healthcare Leadership: Tips for taking charge of short medical appointments and recording visits for better clarity.

• The Perfection Trap: Why letting go of "the right way" to do chores can save you from burnout.

Stop fighting the friction and start leading your care team. 🎙️✨

01/12/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

Is Your Loved One Truly Safe at Home? 🏠🛡️

Modern senior safety is no longer about "old-fashioned" alert buttons. In our latest episode, Diane Carbo, RN, and specialist Dot Boyd dive into stylish, AI-driven solutions that protect independence while giving caregivers peace of mind.

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/aging-with-confidence-dot-boyds-senior-safety-solutions-episode-142

What you’ll learn:

🤖 Meet Addison: An AI avatar that guides seniors through balance exercises and brain games.
📞 Beyond the Button: Discover devices with built-in telemedicine and family voice messaging.
🏠 Smart Monitoring: How wall sensors track health changes (like early UTI signs) without using invasive cameras.
🛡️The Caregiver Safety Gap: Why the "oxygen mask" rule means caregivers need safety tech too.

01/10/2026

https://www.cfsmedicalequipment.com/post/when-the-system-fails-families-a-real-moment-in-healthcare-communication

Yesterday, I received a call that stayed with me.A woman called me in tears. She had been referred by a nonprofit and was trying to get a hospital bed for her mother. Insurance had already authorized the bed. On paper, everything was approved. But in real life, nothing was happening.The insurance co...

01/09/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

🎶 Can music unlock the words you thought were lost?

Recovery from a stroke, brain injury, or Parkinson’s doesn't have to stop when you leave the clinic. In our latest episode, we sit down with Kiersten Kanaster, founder of Beyond High C, to discuss how rhythm and song are helping survivors find their voices and their confidence again.

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/beyond-high-c-redefining-recovery-for-aphasia-stroke-and-parkinsons-survivors-with-kiersten-kanaster-episode-141

What you’ll learn:

🧠 Why the brain can often sing even when it can't speak.

🥁 How rhythmic "skeletons" help survivors rebuild sentence structure.

🤝 Why community and social connection are the "secret ingredients" to long-term recovery.

There is no plateau in recovery. Whether it’s been months or decades since a diagnosis, progress is always possible.

01/07/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

🕊️ Sweet Freedom: Letting Go of Caregiver Guilt

Are you a caregiver feeling crushed by responsibility? 🛑 You aren't alone. In our latest episode, trauma recovery coach Shirley Buck shares how she moved from "victim to victor" after unimaginable trauma.

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/sweet-freedom-in-caregiving-letting-go-of-guilt-and-holding-onto-hope-with-shirley-buck-episode-140

Key takeaways to reclaim your life:

• Stop the Martyr Cycle: 63% of caregivers become ill or die before their loved ones due to extreme stress.

• The "Crumpled Paper" Hack: Visualize throwing negative thoughts in the trash to instantly reset your mindset. 🗑️

• Take Ownership: Your past only exists if you give it thought—choose to focus on the present instead. ✨

• Prioritize Joy: Being "childlike" through play, music, or nature is essential for your survival. 🎨

Listen now and rediscover your inner strength!

01/05/2026

✨New Episode Alert🎙️

In our latest podcast episode, Unseen and Underserved, we explore the unique challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ aging community—from healthcare disparities to the power of "chosen family".

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/unseen-and-underserved-the-realities-of-aging-in-the-lgbtqia-community-with-karon-spriggs-bethea-episode-139

What you’ll learn:

🏥 The barriers LGBTQIA+ elders face in nursing homes and long-term care settings.

🤝 Why "Chosen Family" is a vital support network for those without traditional family ties.

💪 Stories of resilience from those who lived through the AIDS crisis.

💡 Practical tips for caregivers and healthcare professionals to provide affirming, inclusive care.

"People are people. We all want to be loved, touched, and acknowledged." — Diane Carbo, RN.